MOTORISTS are set to face commuter chaos on one of the main routes into Blackburn as a number of roads are closed for a major overhaul of the town's sewers.

And one trader fears the works will effect trade and bring misery to residents in the Accrington Road area, the major route into the town from the East.

Zanib Rasool, 37, resident and owner of F&H Stores, in Accrington Road, said she had not received notification from United Utilities about the work and knew of the project only through her brother.

She said: "It is going to be awful. Who is going to want to come to the shop and where are they going to park?

"There is no room in the side streets. I have a lot of passing customers who park up on the road and come in."

United Utilities will replace Victorian sewers with modern concrete ones to tackle the growing problem of flooding in the 16-week project, costing £200,000.

The company claim letters explaining the work were sent to residents and they are working with Blackburn with Darwen Council to minimise disruption.

During heavy rain, water can back up in the sewers causing flooding and, as more properties have been connected to the system, the problem has got worse.

John Parr, project manager for United Utilities, said: "The existing sewers are struggling with the number of people using them. This is essential work to stop the flooding problem."

Streets affected by the work starting on April 13, will be Carluke Street, Poole Street, Burgess Street, Winmarleigh Street and Longton Street.

Clearly marked diversions will be in operation.

Accrington Road will remain open but temporary traffic lights will be used when the network is laid across the road.

Just half a mile away at Eanam, motorists are experiencing delays as work is carried out to improve the town's Orbital Route.

Mr Parr added: "We aim to keep disruption to a minimum. We would ask people to be patient."